This North Carolina Mountain Town Hosts One Of America’s Biggest Summer Arts Celebrations

Key Takeaways

An Appalachian Summer Festival is a month-long celebration of the arts featuring music, dance, film, and visual arts in all forms.

It takes place in Boone, North Carolina, nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and hosted by Appalachian State University.

The 2025 season runs from June 28 to July 26, drawing over 26,000 visitors for a vibrant mix of free and ticketed cultural events.

The North Carolina mountains are home to a plethora of treasured towns including Asheville, Brevard, and Cashiers that are always humming with activity to celebrate the region. Each offers something unique, but Boone, home to Appalachian State University, has a particular draw. It’s truly the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains where tourists come for the scenery and stay for the welcoming, quirky town.

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While Boone is a bustling tourist destination year-round, each July, at summer's peak when folks are itching to escape the blistering heat, the college town puts on a critically-acclaimed arts and culture festival—An Appalachian Summer—which draws guests from all across the country into the welcoming, cool mountains. The one-of-its-kind, month-long explosion of creativity in the High Country isn’t just a concert series or an arts and crafts show; it’s a true celebration of the arts in all forms—live music, musical competitions, film screenings, seminars, gallery exhibitions, and more.

Cameron Reynolds

The statue of famed musician and local legend Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson.

What Is An Appalachian Summer?

The festival was first launched in 1984 by Appalachian State University as a humble chamber music series and has since blossomed into a nationally cherished cultural event. Today, it sprawls across campus venues—like the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts—offering everything from classical orchestra performances and ballet to traditional concerts, film screenings, art exhibitions, and educational workshops. It also celebrates literary arts and theatre. There is a mix of free and ticketed events.

The annual festival melds Boone’s small town Appalachian charm with world-class art into an immersive, must-see experience. With an annual attendance of more than 26,000 visitors, it’s one of the largest regional multi‑arts festivals in America. To celebrate the 40th anniversary last year, headliners included Natalie Merchant, Buddy Guy, Brad Paisley, Béla Fleck, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

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This Year’s Line Up

This summer, An Appalachian Summer Festival returns for its 41st season, kicking off on June 28 and running until July 26. It’s packed with a vibrant blend of well-known artists and cultural experiences—starting with soulful singer-songwriter Amos Lee on June 28th, followed by Ranky Tanky with Grammy-winner Lisa Fischer on July 6th, offering deeply rooted Gullah-jazz grooves.

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Other standout events include a powerful chamber concert featuring Tessa Lark, Joshua Roman, and Edgar Meyer on July 9th, along with a performance from Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s on July 19th. This year’s festival also spotlights the extraordinary 5 Browns piano ensemble—a quintet of Juilliard-trained siblings—in both an ARTtalk and a concert on July 23rd. Throughout the month, additional performances including international film screenings, dance (contemporary and classical), and hands-on ARTtalks—plus competitions, exhibitions, and free community events will be held.

Cameron Reynolds

The restored Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone.

Why It’s Worth A Trip

Plan your summer road trip though the region to include a few nights stop in Boone to catch a few notable festival events.

Unparalleled Cultural Variety: From soulful blues and country‑rock to classical dance and global cinema, the festival has something for everyone. One can spend an evening tapping along to a jazz ensemble, then sit in a visual‑arts lecture or wander through an outdoor sculpture walk the next day.

The Location: Being in a mountainous town experiencing world-class arts in such an intimate settings is truly just magical.

Budget-Friendly: With ticket prices starting at $10 and capping around $125, plus free events and discounts for families, students, and university faculty, the festival caters to everyone—culturally curious families, art lovers, and budget travelers alike.

There’s More To Explore: At Boone’s 3,300‑foot elevation, taking advantage of the cooler summer temps is a must. Between performances throughout the days and evenings, be sure to soak in the rest of the area at your leisure with nature walks & hikes, a stroll through the charming downtown, and a beer at one of the many craft breweries.

Cameron Reynolds

What Makes It So Unique?

Sure, there are hundreds of arts festivals throughout the South, but An Appalachian Summer celebrates such an array of highbrow and grassroots folks alike. In one weekend visit, you can glide from a renowned artist’s performance to a hands-on pottery or panting workshop or film screening. It’s the kind of place where budding filmmakers, seasoned dancers, and old-hat musicians converge. Plus, of course the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Read the original article on Southern Living